Card reader for transmission of data by sound
First Claim
1. A device for reading information stored on a magnetic strip of a card, comprising:
- a reader for reading the information stored on the magnetic strip and outputting a read signal, said reader including an array of Hall sensors, springs and a contact switch, full insertion of the card into the reader compressing the springs and closing the switch such that current is supplied to the array of Hall sensors, said springs, responsive to release of said card, pushing said card through a distance with each of the Hall sensors scanning a portion of the card corresponding to said distance;
a sound signal generator connected to said reader for generating a sound signal based upon the read signal;
a speaker connected to said sound signal generator for outputting the sound signal; and
a portable recording device for recording the sound signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable card reader is designed to be carried in a wallet or purse. In a first embodiment, the card reader has an electromagnetic head that reads information from a magnetic strip of a card. In a second embodiment, information is read from the card by an array of Hall sensors. In a further embodiment, the card reader uses a magnetic sensor based on magnetoresistive sensing of magnetic transitions of a magnetic stripe, suitable for use with small, portable electronic devices. In each embodiment, the information read from the card may be converted to a sequence of electronic bursts of predetermined frequency, preferably in the audible or ultrasound range. The sound signals are output by a speaker to the microphone of a telephone. The signal is then transmitted over the telephone lines to a remote receiver. The receiver then converts the sound bursts into signal pulses which can be read using the computer software of a conventional card reader.
321 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A device for reading information stored on a magnetic strip of a card, comprising:
-
a reader for reading the information stored on the magnetic strip and outputting a read signal, said reader including an array of Hall sensors, springs and a contact switch, full insertion of the card into the reader compressing the springs and closing the switch such that current is supplied to the array of Hall sensors, said springs, responsive to release of said card, pushing said card through a distance with each of the Hall sensors scanning a portion of the card corresponding to said distance;
a sound signal generator connected to said reader for generating a sound signal based upon the read signal;
a speaker connected to said sound signal generator for outputting the sound signal; and
a portable recording device for recording the sound signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A device for reading information stored on a magnetic strip of a card, comprising:
-
a magnetoresistive card reader for reading the information stored on the magnetic strip and outputting a read signal, said reader including, a magnetoresistive sensor;
substantially parallel guiding rails on either side of the sensor to guide edges of the card; and
a bridge connecting the guiding rails to contain the card within the rails and to keep the card close to the sensor as the card is moved past the sensor;
a sound signal generator connected to said reader for generating a sound signal based upon the read signal; and
a speaker connected to said sound signal generator for outputting the sound signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method of conducting a credit card transaction comprising the steps of:
-
generating an audio frequency signal by passing a magnetic strip of a credit card past an array of Hall sensors within a card reader by moving said card over a distance within said reader such that each Hall sensor scans a portion of said card corresponding to said distance, the audio signal containing credit card information and being unique to the credit card;
recording the audio signal on a portable recording device as a first recorded signal; and
playing back the first recorded audio signal to transmit the credit card information. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
entering a pin code on the portable recording device to enable signal playback, the portable recording device having a pin code actuated circuit; and
playing back the first recorded audio signal responsive to entry of a pin code corresponding to the credit card.
-
-
16. The method as set forth in claim 14, further comprising the steps of:
-
generating a second audio frequency signal by passing a magnetic strip of a second credit card past the array of Hall sensors of the card reader, the second audio signal containing second credit card information and being unique to the second credit card;
recording the second audio signal on the portable recording device as a second recorded signal;
entering a pin code on the portable recording device to enable signal playback, the portable recording device having a pin code actuated circuit; and
playing back the second recorded audio signal responsive to entry of a pin code corresponding to the second credit card.
-
-
17. A reader for reading information stored on a magnetic strip of a card and outputting a read signal, said reader comprising an array of Hall sensors, springs and a contact switch, full insertion of the card into the reader compressing the springs and closing the switch such that current is supplied to the array of Hall sensors, said springs, responsive to release of said card, pushing said card through a distance, with each of the Hall sensors scanning a portion of the card corresponding to said distance.
-
18. A magnetoresistive card reader for reading information stored on a magnetic strip of a card and outputting a read signal, said reader comprising:
-
a magnetoresistive sensor;
substantially parallel guiding rails on either side of the sensor to guide edges of the card; and
a bridge connecting the guiding rails to contain the card within the rails and to keep the card close to the sensor as the card is moved past the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
-
21. A method for reading information stored on a magnetic strip of a card comprising the steps of:
-
aligning the card with a reader having an array of Hall sensors, springs and a contact switch;
fully inserting the card into said reader, said step of inserting acting to compress said springs and close the switch such that current is supplied to the array of Hall sensors;
releasing said card to allow compression force from said springs to push said card over a distance within the reader;
scanning, by each of said Hall sensors in said array of Hall sensors, a portion of said card corresponding to said distance;
generating, by said reader, a read signal from said scanned portions;
generating, by said reader, a sound signal based upon said read signal; and
outputting said sound signal. - View Dependent Claims (22)
recording said sound signal with a portable recording device;
associating said sound signal with a pin code unique to that sound signal; and
playing back, by said recording device, said sound signal upon entry of said pin code into said recording device.
-
Specification